“God Kept Me”Beau Williams feat. the HamiltonesFrom the album Timeless (release date: September 24, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich “God Kept Me” by longtime vocalist Beau Williams, is a joyous gospel song about the constancy of the Most High. The rhythm guitar drives a handclapping tempo while popular vocal group the Hamiltones answer Williams’ declarations with percussive harmonizing. Lively and enchanting. And Williams can sure enough sing, his high yodel on the refrain evokes Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers. Gaining exposure on the television show Star Search in the mid-1980s, the Houston-born Williams had an R&B career on Capitol ...

From a Press Release: Bishop Rance Allen, of the Grammy® Award nominated inspirational soul and gospel trio, The Rance Allen Group, has passed away at the age of 71. “While recovering from a medical procedure at Heartland ProMedica [in Sylvania, OH], Bishop Rance Allen passed away around 3 AM this morning,” said Allen’s wife of 49 years, Ellen Allen, and his manager, Toby Jackson, in a joint statement. “I wasn’t expecting to hear this news this morning,” said Tyscot Records President, Bryant Scott, who was nearly speechless upon hearing of the singer’s death. “This is a great loss to us ...

Horizon Music Victory Maranatha! Music/Capitol Records (release date: October 13, 2017) www.horizoncommunity.church/music By Bob Marovich “What if worship music could be done so well with mainstream pop sounds, that it became interesting to those who haven’t been willing to listen before?” asked Lead Pastor Stan Russell of Horizon Community Church in Tualatin, Oregon. Horizon Music’s debut album Victory, crisply produced by Dave Lubben (Kutless, Hollyn) and Aaron Russell, is the church music ministry’s response to its pastor’s call. The album’s dozen radio-sized selections feature vertical praise lyrics wrapped in chilly, atmospheric Hillsong-meets-Neon Indian electronica with some acoustic moments. While tracks such ...

Various Artists Motown Gospel Presents 1 Mic 1 Take Motown Gospel (release date: June 3, 2016) www.motowngospel.com By Bob Marovich Imagine having one shot at getting it right in front of The Microphone in one of the most iconic recording studios in America: Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California. It is not unlike having one turn at bat at Yankee Stadium and the fans are expecting an out-of-the-park home run. Members of Motown Gospel’s current artist roster took their chances and came up with a solid third base hit on 1 Mic 1 Take. Although this album of stripped down gospel ...